Places to shoot in socal?
- Thread starter damageINC
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Yep, Google will help with that.
Two up in the Devore area. Maybe more in other areas.
Mike
Two up in the Devore area. Maybe more in other areas.
Mike
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Haha. It's so funny I finally got the air rifle of my dreams and came back to the forum. I recall starting this thread forever ago. I accidentally made a new post asking the same question. At any rate, anyone know of any places in socal for shooting? I really want to start putting my R5M through its paces.
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Unfortunately things are pretty much the same. California, it's so hard to have a shooting range or gun club with all the laws and insurance requirements. The gun clubs that are operating have insane rules and steps for joining if you want to shoot during the week. Have a back log of almost 5 years in some cases to join. Kind of a "good luck" situation if you ever want to practice for NRL. Weekends you can hit most clubs/ranges but you will be sharing with tons of people and it gets frustrating. Constant stopping, unloading, clear/safe, move from bench - so people can get their targets, or set up. You can never get in to rhythm during the weekend. I found it too frustrating to bother in the end. Other states are having issues also, but most of them you can head out and shoot in the country without issues, not California unless you want to use you copper ammo on paper/steel. Too expensive for me. Airguns you can still currently shoot in the country/desert with lead, but most cities/counties have airgun ordinances so you will have to read up on it before you shoot. San Bernardino County is pretty conservative for shooting, but still has some pretty black and white airgun rules in their ordinances, so careful where you go. Also law enforcement even here is serious about the lead ban, unfortunately you will get caught if you shoot lead thinking you are all alone in the desert, you are not, not anymore at least. Last 10 years the high desert has turned in to the inland empire for the most part. Everyone calls and reports everyone now for everything. There is no such thing as Rual anymore. Even an airgun with an LDC is going to get you checked on by law enforcement. Most LE do not know that you can shoot lead with airguns legally, always is a hassle explaining you are meeting the law to LAW ENFORCEMENT lol. I was fine with my "pellet guns" for as long time, kind of sucks now. Even got accused by a young Sheriff Deputy of animal cruelty hunting ground squirrels in the middle of the desert with the closest house 5 miles away. Apparently I was reported by an "off roader". Totally legal, meet all the requirements. Obviously it's not animal cruelty, but this is how these "kids" think nowadays. They are all Kalifornia Karens. Good luck in the search!
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One thing I will add is it does help to have an airgun that does not look like an AR15 black rifle. I always had more issues with my Impact or maverick than my Uragan/Vulcan or Wildcat with wood or colorful hydro dip stock. I am going to change my maverick to the K&L gold chassis for this very reason. Don't like that gold all that much but doing it anyway. Also I wrap my moderators/LDC in red, this also helps most issues of identification.
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Oooof didn't do myself any favors getting a synthetic stock matador with a bat moderator then. 
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I like the R5M look for sure, but as I did with my WC bottle stock in black synthetic, I would have it hydro dipped. Doesn't get mistaken for an AR15 at all after that.Oooof didn't do myself any favors getting a synthetic stock matador with a bat moderator then.
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I think we need to clarify that nonlead ammunition is a requirement for hunting. I’m almost certain that there are no provisions in California law (as bad as it is) for recreational shooters to use nonlead projectiles while target shooting or hunting with airguns.
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It is totally legal in CA state to shoot lead ammo from an airgun. Airguns are NOT Firearms in the eyes of CA. This went to court a few years back and the judge said "show me the fire" in airguns, since the non lead law is for firearms. No fire, no firearm. There may be local laws or ordinances, but state law is pretty clear...
Southern SOCAL like San Diego has NOTHING as far as airgun shooting clubs, etc...
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You are absolutely correct. I should have mentioned in my first sentence that nonlead ammunition is a requirement for hunting with firearms.
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Most local forest and BLM land doesn't allow target shooting, this of course is compounded from the fire ban during summer months. My suggestion to those looking for places to shoot, private land is the best bet. As far as going to public shooting ranges, I've already been that route....even out of desperation it was a horrible experience. I shoot airguns for many reasons but typically because of the low noise. Going and sitting next to some tubby shooting a .338 Lupa isn't my idea of relaxing at all. Then you have the sweethearts who like to snicker about shooting bb guns. About 5 years ago we used to put on a yearly fun shoot out near San Bernardino, the turnout was always good but since that time the area got closed off to being accessible. Thankfully over the years I've acquired a few large permissions that allows me to get out on the regular, I've found knocking on doors and leaving flyers usually pays off.
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I had no idea it was so dire. The industry seems to be booming, but then it is a large country. Looks like I should try and find someone who'll let me shoot on their land. It's rough though since I live in the middle of suburbia.
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As noted earlier -
In the mid-SOCAL area (Orange County, San Gabriel, Long Beach, San Bernardino) there's a hand full of outdoor ranges that I believe allow air guns. A quick look-up in Google will bring them up. One in the Azusa Canyon, a couple (two or three) ranges in the Devore area off of the 60 freeway, north of the 10 freeway.
I'm gonna try an indoor range not too far away...one of these days (!) for fire arm shooting. I'm gonna ask about air guns in their shop.
Mike
In the mid-SOCAL area (Orange County, San Gabriel, Long Beach, San Bernardino) there's a hand full of outdoor ranges that I believe allow air guns. A quick look-up in Google will bring them up. One in the Azusa Canyon, a couple (two or three) ranges in the Devore area off of the 60 freeway, north of the 10 freeway.
I'm gonna try an indoor range not too far away...one of these days (!) for fire arm shooting. I'm gonna ask about air guns in their shop.
Mike
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BLM land. i was so surprised when i was desperately hunting for ranges...shot guns are welcome pretty much all over san bernardino mountains, but i cant target shoot pellets. i am still very frustrated. i cant ask for permissions since i am still too new at aiming.
so, lytle creek range, 20$ all day. they have portapotty. they have 3 lanes for us, max 40 yds, separate from the hand cannons. they get farther obviously. {us with the bow shooters.. but not tables for each of our lanes, minor issue...] when the skeet shooters show up it can get medium loud, but otherwise i never need earmuffs.
Raahauge in eastvale/corona, 32$ for 2 hours [ouch]longer if no line; but is nice since burmed lane to yourself/your group, so hopefully never anyone hit by a stray bullet regardless. not sure farthest lane length..
Both locations are dirt, but in dry weather ok for my sedan.
so, lytle creek range, 20$ all day. they have portapotty. they have 3 lanes for us, max 40 yds, separate from the hand cannons. they get farther obviously. {us with the bow shooters.. but not tables for each of our lanes, minor issue...] when the skeet shooters show up it can get medium loud, but otherwise i never need earmuffs.
Raahauge in eastvale/corona, 32$ for 2 hours [ouch]longer if no line; but is nice since burmed lane to yourself/your group, so hopefully never anyone hit by a stray bullet regardless. not sure farthest lane length..
Both locations are dirt, but in dry weather ok for my sedan.
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I just looked at the BLM site, I could not find anywhere that it says one cannot shoot, instead this is what i read on their website
"In California, there are no designated target shooting sites managed by the BLM, but recreational shooting opportunities are available on undeveloped lands, and at several public shooting ranges. Shooting is strictly prohibited in developed recreation sites and other areas where posted. Target shooting is generally allowed on BLM-administered public lands, as long as it is done in a safe manner, without damaging natural resources or improvements on public lands.
The BLM allows the use of firearms on public lands as provided for in California state law. Shooters are responsible for knowing applicable laws and using firearms and other recreational shooting weapons in a safe manner. "
"In California, there are no designated target shooting sites managed by the BLM, but recreational shooting opportunities are available on undeveloped lands, and at several public shooting ranges. Shooting is strictly prohibited in developed recreation sites and other areas where posted. Target shooting is generally allowed on BLM-administered public lands, as long as it is done in a safe manner, without damaging natural resources or improvements on public lands.
The BLM allows the use of firearms on public lands as provided for in California state law. Shooters are responsible for knowing applicable laws and using firearms and other recreational shooting weapons in a safe manner. "
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